Pres. Trump wishes for better libel laws after book slams him
WASHINGTON — Plainly agitated by a new book portraying him as dysfunctional, President Donald Trump is bemoaning his country's "very weak" libel laws and making the case that he's "like, really smart" and, indeed, a "very stable genius."President Trump defense of his mental fitness in a series of tweets was a singular episode in a presidency rife with moments unlike any that have come before in that office.He was pushing back against "Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House," which paints him as a leader who doesn't understand the weight of his office and whose competence is questioned by aides."Actually, throughout my life, my two greatest assets have been mental stability and being, like, really smart," President Trump tweeted from Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland, a few hours before a strategy session on the 2018 legislative agenda with Republican congressional leaders and Cabinet members.And when President Trump addressed reporters later, the Ivy League graduate was ready for the question."I went to the best colleges for college," said President Trump, who holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania. "I had a situation where I was a very excellent student, came out, made billions and billions of dollars, became one of the top business people, went to television and for 10 years was a tremendous success, as you probably have heard, ran for president one time and won."His ire was directed at author Michael Wolff, whose book draws a derogatory portrait of the 45th president as an undisciplined man-child who didn't actually want to win the White House and who spends his evenings eating cheeseburgers in bed, watching television and talking on the telephone to old friends.The book also quotes President Trump's former chief strategist, Steve Bannon, and other prominent advisers as questioning the president's competence."I consider it a work of fiction," President Trump told reporters. "The libel laws are very weak in this country.
WASHINGTON — Plainly agitated by a new book portraying him as dysfunctional, President Donald Trump is bemoaning his country's "very weak" libel laws and making the case that he's "like, really smart" and, indeed, a "very stable genius."President Trump defense of his mental fitness in a series of tweets was a singular episode in a presidency rife with moments unlike any that have come before in that office.He was pushing back against "Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House," which paints him as a leader who doesn't understand the weight of his office and whose competence is questioned by aides."Actually, throughout my life, my two greatest assets have been mental stability and being, like, really smart," President Trump tweeted from Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland, a few hours before a strategy session on the 2018 legislative agenda with Republican congressional leaders and Cabinet members.And when President Trump addressed reporters later, the Ivy League graduate was ready for the question."I went to the best colleges for college," said President Trump, who holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania. "I had a situation where I was a very excellent student, came out, made billions and billions of dollars, became one of the top business people, went to television and for 10 years was a tremendous success, as you probably have heard, ran for president one time and won."His ire was directed at author Michael Wolff, whose book draws a derogatory portrait of the 45th president as an undisciplined man-child who didn't actually want to win the White House and who spends his evenings eating cheeseburgers in bed, watching television and talking on the telephone to old friends.The book also quotes President Trump's former chief strategist, Steve Bannon, and other prominent advisers as questioning the president's competence."I consider it a work of fiction," President Trump told reporters. "The libel laws are very weak in this country.
Steve Bannon tries to make amends as aides defend Trump's fitness
WASHINGTON — Steve Bannon is trying to make amends.
WASHINGTON — Steve Bannon is trying to make amends.
Pres. Trump says he'd be open to talking with North Korean leader
THURMONT, Md. — President Donald Trump, shelving comparisons about the size of a "nuclear button," said Saturday he is open to talking with the North Korean leader he's called "Little Rocket Man" and hopes some progress results from upcoming talks between the Koreas.President Trump, who last year lambasted his chief diplomat for talking about negotiations with the nuclear-armed North, told reporters at Camp David that some dialogue or direct conversation with Kim Jong Un was not beyond the realm of possibility."Sure, I always believe in talking," President Trump said. "Absolutely I would do that, I wouldn't have a problem with that at all." But he was quick to add that any talks would come with conditions, which he did not specify.The first formal talks between North and South in more than two years are set to take place in a border town Tuesday as the rivals try to find ways to cooperate on the Winter Olympics in the South and to improve their ties.
THURMONT, Md. — President Donald Trump, shelving comparisons about the size of a "nuclear button," said Saturday he is open to talking with the North Korean leader he's called "Little Rocket Man" and hopes some progress results from upcoming talks between the Koreas.President Trump, who last year lambasted his chief diplomat for talking about negotiations with the nuclear-armed North, told reporters at Camp David that some dialogue or direct conversation with Kim Jong Un was not beyond the realm of possibility."Sure, I always believe in talking," President Trump said. "Absolutely I would do that, I wouldn't have a problem with that at all." But he was quick to add that any talks would come with conditions, which he did not specify.The first formal talks between North and South in more than two years are set to take place in a border town Tuesday as the rivals try to find ways to cooperate on the Winter Olympics in the South and to improve their ties.
President Trump says he's 'well prepared' for 2018 agenda
THURMONT, Md. — President Donald Trump says he's had some "incredible meetings" with Republican congressional leaders and Cabinet members at Camp David as they ready their 2018 legislative agenda.He says the group discussed a variety of topics — from national security and infrastructure to the military and the budget.President Trump says "we are very well prepared for the coming year.
THURMONT, Md. — President Donald Trump says he's had some "incredible meetings" with Republican congressional leaders and Cabinet members at Camp David as they ready their 2018 legislative agenda.He says the group discussed a variety of topics — from national security and infrastructure to the military and the budget.President Trump says "we are very well prepared for the coming year.
Pres. Trump says he's 'like, really smart,' 'a very stable genius'
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump wants people to know he's "like, really smart" and "a very stable genius."He's taking to Twitter to defend his mental fitness and boast about his intelligence.It's his latest pushback against a book that portrays him as a leader who doesn't understand the weight of the presidency.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump wants people to know he's "like, really smart" and "a very stable genius."He's taking to Twitter to defend his mental fitness and boast about his intelligence.It's his latest pushback against a book that portrays him as a leader who doesn't understand the weight of the presidency.
Pres. Trump seeks $18 billion to extend border wall over 10 years
SAN DIEGO — The Trump administration has proposed spending $18 billion over 10 years to significantly extend the border wall with Mexico, providing one of its most detailed blueprints of how the president hopes to carry out a signature campaign pledge.The proposal by Customs and Border Protection calls for 316 miles (505 kilometers) of additional barrier by September 2027, bringing total coverage to 970 miles (1,552 kilometers), or nearly half the border, according to a U.S. official with direct knowledge of the matter.It also calls for 407 miles (651 kilometers) of replacement or secondary fencing, said the official, who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the plan has not been made public.President Trump has promised to "a big, beautiful wall" with Mexico as a centerpiece of his presidency but offered few details of where it would be built, when and at what cost.
SAN DIEGO — The Trump administration has proposed spending $18 billion over 10 years to significantly extend the border wall with Mexico, providing one of its most detailed blueprints of how the president hopes to carry out a signature campaign pledge.The proposal by Customs and Border Protection calls for 316 miles (505 kilometers) of additional barrier by September 2027, bringing total coverage to 970 miles (1,552 kilometers), or nearly half the border, according to a U.S. official with direct knowledge of the matter.It also calls for 407 miles (651 kilometers) of replacement or secondary fencing, said the official, who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the plan has not been made public.President Trump has promised to "a big, beautiful wall" with Mexico as a centerpiece of his presidency but offered few details of where it would be built, when and at what cost.
President Trump moves to vastly expand offshore drilling
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump's administration on Thursday moved to vastly expand offshore drilling from the Atlantic to the Arctic oceans with a plan that would open up federal waters off the California coast for the first time in more than three decades.The new five-year drilling plan also could open new areas of oil and gas exploration in areas off the East Coast from Georgia to Maine, where drilling has been blocked for decades.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump's administration on Thursday moved to vastly expand offshore drilling from the Atlantic to the Arctic oceans with a plan that would open up federal waters off the California coast for the first time in more than three decades.The new five-year drilling plan also could open new areas of oil and gas exploration in areas off the East Coast from Georgia to Maine, where drilling has been blocked for decades.
President Trump meets with GOP senators on immigration, calls so-called chain migration "a gateway for terrorism"
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said so-called chain migration provides "a gateway for terrorism" Thursday as he sat down with a handful of Republican senators to talk immigration.Lawmakers have been trying to hammer out a deal on how to extend legal status for hundreds of thousands of young immigrants who were brought to the country illegally as children and had been protected from deportation by the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.President Trump announced he would be ending the program last year, but gave Congress a March deadline to come up with a legislative fix.President Trump said Thursday that any deal he signs will need to include funding for his border wall, more money for immigration enforcement, an overhaul of the family-based immigration system and an end to the diversity visa lottery.President Trump told the lawmakers that he would "love to take care of DACA, but we're only going to do it under these conditions.""Chain migration is a total disaster which threatens our security and our economy and provides a gateway for terrorism," he said, referring to the current system that allows many immigrants to sponsor their extended family members.President Trump also said he hoped the overhaul will attract Democratic support."It would be really nice to do it in a bipartisan way," he told those gathered, which included John Cornyn of Texas, Tom Cotton of Arkansas, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Chuck Grassley of Iowa, James Lankford of Oklahoma and Thom Tillis of North Carolina.A separate group of Senate Republicans is scheduled to sit down with President Trump on Thursday afternoon to discuss the budget and other legislative priorities for the year.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said so-called chain migration provides "a gateway for terrorism" Thursday as he sat down with a handful of Republican senators to talk immigration.Lawmakers have been trying to hammer out a deal on how to extend legal status for hundreds of thousands of young immigrants who were brought to the country illegally as children and had been protected from deportation by the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.President Trump announced he would be ending the program last year, but gave Congress a March deadline to come up with a legislative fix.President Trump said Thursday that any deal he signs will need to include funding for his border wall, more money for immigration enforcement, an overhaul of the family-based immigration system and an end to the diversity visa lottery.President Trump told the lawmakers that he would "love to take care of DACA, but we're only going to do it under these conditions.""Chain migration is a total disaster which threatens our security and our economy and provides a gateway for terrorism," he said, referring to the current system that allows many immigrants to sponsor their extended family members.President Trump also said he hoped the overhaul will attract Democratic support."It would be really nice to do it in a bipartisan way," he told those gathered, which included John Cornyn of Texas, Tom Cotton of Arkansas, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Chuck Grassley of Iowa, James Lankford of Oklahoma and Thom Tillis of North Carolina.A separate group of Senate Republicans is scheduled to sit down with President Trump on Thursday afternoon to discuss the budget and other legislative priorities for the year.
President Trump left 'furious,' 'disgusted' by Bannon over new book
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump launched a scathing attack on former top adviser Steve Bannon, responding to a new book that portrays President Trump as an undisciplined man-child who didn't actually want to win the White House and quotes Bannon as calling his son's contact with a Russian lawyer "treasonous.""I don't talk to him," President Trump said Thursday of his former chief strategist.Hitting back via formal White House statement rather than a more typical Twitter volley, President Trump insisted Bannon had little to do with his victorious campaign and "has nothing to do with me or my presidency.""When he was fired, he not only lost his job, he lost his mind," President Trump said Wednesday.It was a blistering attack against the man who helped deliver the presidency to President Trump, spurred by an unflattering new book by writer Michael Wolff that paints President Trump as a leader who doesn't understand the weight of the presidency and spends his evenings eating cheeseburgers in bed, watching television and talking on the phone to old friends.Speaking to reporters before meeting with Republican senators Thursday, President Trump noted Bannon had praised him on his radio show late Wednesday after President Trump issued the statement. "He called me a great man last night," President Trump said. "He obviously changed his tune pretty quick"Late Wednesday, President Trump attorney Charles Harder threatened legal action against Bannon over "disparaging statements and in some cases outright defamatory statements."Harder sent Bannon a letter saying the former President Trump aide violated confidentiality agreements by speaking with Wolff.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump launched a scathing attack on former top adviser Steve Bannon, responding to a new book that portrays President Trump as an undisciplined man-child who didn't actually want to win the White House and quotes Bannon as calling his son's contact with a Russian lawyer "treasonous.""I don't talk to him," President Trump said Thursday of his former chief strategist.Hitting back via formal White House statement rather than a more typical Twitter volley, President Trump insisted Bannon had little to do with his victorious campaign and "has nothing to do with me or my presidency.""When he was fired, he not only lost his job, he lost his mind," President Trump said Wednesday.It was a blistering attack against the man who helped deliver the presidency to President Trump, spurred by an unflattering new book by writer Michael Wolff that paints President Trump as a leader who doesn't understand the weight of the presidency and spends his evenings eating cheeseburgers in bed, watching television and talking on the phone to old friends.Speaking to reporters before meeting with Republican senators Thursday, President Trump noted Bannon had praised him on his radio show late Wednesday after President Trump issued the statement. "He called me a great man last night," President Trump said. "He obviously changed his tune pretty quick"Late Wednesday, President Trump attorney Charles Harder threatened legal action against Bannon over "disparaging statements and in some cases outright defamatory statements."Harder sent Bannon a letter saying the former President Trump aide violated confidentiality agreements by speaking with Wolff.
Pres. Trump blasts Steve Bannon over book that called 2016 meeting 'treasonous,' says ex-aide 'lost his mind'
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon called the 2016 Trump Tower meeting between President Donald Trump campaign officials and a Russian lawyer purportedly offering damaging information about Hillary Clinton "treasonous," according to a new book obtained by The Guardian.The book, "Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House" by Michael Wolff, is based on hundreds of interviews, including ones with President Trump and his inner circle.
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon called the 2016 Trump Tower meeting between President Donald Trump campaign officials and a Russian lawyer purportedly offering damaging information about Hillary Clinton "treasonous," according to a new book obtained by The Guardian.The book, "Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House" by Michael Wolff, is based on hundreds of interviews, including ones with President Trump and his inner circle.
Paul Manafort sues Robert Mueller, Justice Department over Russia probe
WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman is suing special counsel Robert Mueller and the Justice Department.Paul Manafort alleges in the lawsuit that Mueller exceeded his authority by investigating him for conduct that was not related to Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.Manafort was indicted in October and has pleaded not guilty.The suit was filed Wednesday in federal court in Washington.Manafort's lawyer did not immediately return a call seeking comment, and a spokesman for Mueller's office declined to comment.
WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman is suing special counsel Robert Mueller and the Justice Department.Paul Manafort alleges in the lawsuit that Mueller exceeded his authority by investigating him for conduct that was not related to Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.Manafort was indicted in October and has pleaded not guilty.The suit was filed Wednesday in federal court in Washington.Manafort's lawyer did not immediately return a call seeking comment, and a spokesman for Mueller's office declined to comment.
Pres. Trump to Kim Jong Un: My nuclear button is 'much bigger' and 'more powerful'
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump on Tuesday taunted North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, warning Kim about the US' nuclear capabilities as tensions worsen between the two nations."North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the 'Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times.' Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!" President Trump tweeted.
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump on Tuesday taunted North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, warning Kim about the US' nuclear capabilities as tensions worsen between the two nations."North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the 'Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times.' Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!" President Trump tweeted.
President Trump threats to cut off US aid to Palestinian Authority
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is threatening to cut off U.S. aid money to the Palestinian Authority and acknowledging that the Middle East peace process appears to be stalled.President Trump says in a pair of tweets that, "we pay the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is threatening to cut off U.S. aid money to the Palestinian Authority and acknowledging that the Middle East peace process appears to be stalled.President Trump says in a pair of tweets that, "we pay the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect.
6 big stories from 2017 in Wisconsin politics
MILWAUKEE -- From the Milwaukee County Courthouse to the White House, 2017 was a pivotal year in politics.
MILWAUKEE -- From the Milwaukee County Courthouse to the White House, 2017 was a pivotal year in politics.
"Together we are making America great again!" President Trump offers New Year's Eve video message
WEST PALM BEACH, Florida — President Donald Trump capped 2017 on Sunday with a video self-tribute touching on what he sees as the high points of his achievements and rhetoric from his first year in office.
WEST PALM BEACH, Florida — President Donald Trump capped 2017 on Sunday with a video self-tribute touching on what he sees as the high points of his achievements and rhetoric from his first year in office.
Israel minister plans train station at Western Wall named after President Donald Trump
JERUSALEM — Israel's transportation minister is pushing ahead with a plan to dig a railway tunnel under Jerusalem's Old City, passing near sites holy to Jews, Christians and Muslims — and ending at the Western Wall with a station named after President Donald Trump.Yisrael Katz's plan, currently in the initial stages, involves constructing two underground stations and excavating over 2 miles (3 kilometers) of tunnel beneath downtown Jerusalem and under the politically sensitive Old City.
JERUSALEM — Israel's transportation minister is pushing ahead with a plan to dig a railway tunnel under Jerusalem's Old City, passing near sites holy to Jews, Christians and Muslims — and ending at the Western Wall with a station named after President Donald Trump.Yisrael Katz's plan, currently in the initial stages, involves constructing two underground stations and excavating over 2 miles (3 kilometers) of tunnel beneath downtown Jerusalem and under the politically sensitive Old City.
President Trump celebrates Christmas like most of America, with family
PALM BEACH, Fla. — President Donald Trump is celebrating Christmas the way millions of Americans do: surrounded by family, the White House said.But unlike most Americans, he released a brief video in which his wife, Melania, joined him to "wish America and the entire world a very Merry Christmas."The first lady says that at this time of year "we see the best of America and the soul of the American people" in children packing boxes to help brighten Christmas for service members and communities coming together to help one another."In this season of joy, we spend time with our families, we renew our bonds of love and goodwill between our citizens and, most importantly, we celebrate the miracle of Christmas," President Trump said, noting the story of Jesus' birth.
PALM BEACH, Fla. — President Donald Trump is celebrating Christmas the way millions of Americans do: surrounded by family, the White House said.But unlike most Americans, he released a brief video in which his wife, Melania, joined him to "wish America and the entire world a very Merry Christmas."The first lady says that at this time of year "we see the best of America and the soul of the American people" in children packing boxes to help brighten Christmas for service members and communities coming together to help one another."In this season of joy, we spend time with our families, we renew our bonds of love and goodwill between our citizens and, most importantly, we celebrate the miracle of Christmas," President Trump said, noting the story of Jesus' birth.
"Incredibly thankful for you:" President Trump sends Christmas greetings to US troops abroad
PALM BEACH, Florida — President Donald Trump opened his first Christmas Eve in office by offering season's greetings to U.S. troops stationed around the world and applauding the sacrifices their families make when their loved ones are away."Today and every day, we're incredibly thankful for you and for your families," President Trump said from his Florida estate, where he is spending the holidays with his family. "Your families have been tremendous.
PALM BEACH, Florida — President Donald Trump opened his first Christmas Eve in office by offering season's greetings to U.S. troops stationed around the world and applauding the sacrifices their families make when their loved ones are away."Today and every day, we're incredibly thankful for you and for your families," President Trump said from his Florida estate, where he is spending the holidays with his family. "Your families have been tremendous.
President Trump criticizes FBI deputy director as he plans retirement
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — President Donald Trump again questioned the impartiality of the deputy director of the FBI, Andrew McCabe, who is planning to retire from the bureau in the months ahead after being buffeted by attacks over alleged anti-Trump bias in the agency.In a tweet Saturday, the president wrote: "How can FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, the man in charge, along with leakin' James Comey, of the Phony Hillary Clinton investigation (including her 33,000 illegally deleted emails) be given $700,000 for wife's campaign by Clinton Puppets during investigation?"McCabe spent hours behind closed doors on Capitol Hill this week being grilled by lawmakers on two separate committees as part of a new investigation of the FBI and its 2016 inquiry into Clinton's email practices when she was secretary of state.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — President Donald Trump again questioned the impartiality of the deputy director of the FBI, Andrew McCabe, who is planning to retire from the bureau in the months ahead after being buffeted by attacks over alleged anti-Trump bias in the agency.In a tweet Saturday, the president wrote: "How can FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, the man in charge, along with leakin' James Comey, of the Phony Hillary Clinton investigation (including her 33,000 illegally deleted emails) be given $700,000 for wife's campaign by Clinton Puppets during investigation?"McCabe spent hours behind closed doors on Capitol Hill this week being grilled by lawmakers on two separate committees as part of a new investigation of the FBI and its 2016 inquiry into Clinton's email practices when she was secretary of state.
Pres. Trump signs $1.5T tax overhaul package, says "the numbers will speak"
WASHINGTON —President Donald Trump has signed into law a $1.5 trillion tax overhaul package.President Trump touted the size of the tax cut, declaring to reporters in the Oval Office before he signed it Friday that "the numbers will speak."The president said he was going to wait to sign it until after Jan. 1 but changed his mind.
WASHINGTON —President Donald Trump has signed into law a $1.5 trillion tax overhaul package.President Trump touted the size of the tax cut, declaring to reporters in the Oval Office before he signed it Friday that "the numbers will speak."The president said he was going to wait to sign it until after Jan. 1 but changed his mind.